Valve for engines.



No. 628,630. Patantad July II, 1899.

A. G. MATHEB &. F. T. SNYDER.

VALVE FUR ENGINES.

(Application filed June 6, 1898.)

2 Shaets$heet I.

(No Model.)

Tm: nunms mans cu. Pnmn-Lrmo wnsumcmm n. c.

. Patented July I899. A.'G. MATHEB & F. T. SNYDER. VALVE ronzuames.

(Application filed June 6, 1 898.) (No Model.) 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NITEDSTATE -ATENT @E'Eicrt.

ALL'AN e. MA'rI-IEE AND FREDERICK 'r. SNYDER, or MILWAUKEE,

WISCONSIN.

VALVE FOR ENGINES.

srncinxcnrlolvjfoiming part ofiLetters' ra a No. 628,630, dated July 11,1899'.-

Application filed Tune 6, 1898. Serial No. 682,679. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

FREDERICK T. SNYDER, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and Stateof Wisconsin,

have inventeda new and useful Improvement in Valves for Engines, ofwhich the following is a description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which area part of this specification.

Our invention hasrelation to improvements in valve and engine mechanism.

The invention contemplates as an object the provision of an improvedvalve mechanism forming part of an engine mechanism of such characterthat it is entirely automatic in operation and independent of anyoutside mechanismthat is to say, it is capable of being operated bysteam-pressure without aid from exterior means.

A further object contemplated is the provision of a constructionwherein, in connection with the reciprocating pistons employed,provision is made for an improved construction for the admission ofsteam to and exhaust from the cylinders of said pistons in such manneras to permit one piston and its rod being reciprocated, even though theother piston and its rod are prevented from being reciprocated from anycause, or in the event of both pistons and their rods being preventedfrom working the valve mechanism can still continue to operate withoutany injurious eifects to any part of the mechanism, and, furthermore,the construction provides for one piston and its rod being heldstationary in order to enable repairs to be made or work performedbeneath the same, and yet the other piston and its rod per-.

l V any injurious effectsto any part oft-he mecli- Be it known thatwe,ALLAN G. MATHER and anism.

With the above primary and other incidental object-s in view, theinvention consists of the devices andparts or their equivalents,ashereinafter more fully set forth. Y

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is'a vertical sectional View throughone of the cylinders and transversely through the Valvechest. Fig. 2 isa horizontal section through the valve-chest and through the'cylinders,the pistons being removed. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig.2. Fig. 4 is asection on the line 4 at of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is asection on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings the numerals (5 6 indicate the cylinders, ineach of which is adapted to reciprocate a piston 7, said piston having apiston-rod extending from one side and projecting through the end of thecylinder, as usual. The space between oneside of the piston and the endof each cylinder is indicated by the numeral 8 and the space between theopposite face of the piston and the opposite end of the cylinder by thenumeral 9. This space 9 is necessarily of less area than the space 8,owing to the piston-rod passing through said space, and necessarilyforming merely anannular space around the piston-rod.

Extending across and communicating with the steam-cylinders is asteam-chest 10, and

leading from certain chambers, hereinafter referred to, of thissteam-chest are passages Other passages 12 lead from certain otherchambers of the steam-chest to the annular spaces 9 of the cylinders.

The steam-chest is provided longitudinally with a valve-chamber 13,closed at opposite ends, preferably by removable heads 14 14. Within thevalve-chamber is located a pistonvalve 15. Exteriorly and centrally thepiston-valve has formed therearound a projection 16. On each side ofthis central projection and at equal distances therefrom are otherprojections 17 17, and between said central projection and theprojections 17 17 are formed concavities or recesses 18 18. At oppositeends the valve is provided with other projections 19 19, and betweenthese projections and the projections 17 17 are likewise formedconcavities or recesses 20. These several projections 16, 17 17, and 1919 are in the nature of pistons, being acted upon by the steam, so as tocause the longitudinal reciprocation of the valve. Fig. 2 of thedrawings shows the valve at the end of its stroke in one direction. Whenin this position, the central projection 16 is adjacent to and contactswith a corresponding inward projection 21 from the valve-chamber or,more properly speaking, from the lining 22 of said'valvechamber, saidlining being thickened at this point to form the projection 21. It willbe noticed that the projection 16 of the valve does not extend outwardlyquite so far as the other projections of the valve,so that the valve isof less diameter centrally or where the pro jection 16 is located. Itfollows, therefore, that as the projections 17 17 extend out fartherthan the central projection 16 when the steam enters either of thecavities 18 or 18 there will be greater steam-pressure against theshoulder 17 or 17,'w'hirh shoulder is larger than the opposed shoulderof the central projection 16, and consequently a' differential pressureis produced, which causes the valve to move longitudinally.

Leading to the steam-chest is a valve-controlled inlet-pipe 23. Thispipe connects with an inlet-chamber 24 in the steam-chest, whichinlet-chamber is in communication with I the valve-chamber 13 through aseries of'ports 25,

extending to the wall or lining of they valvechamber, On opposite sidesof the steam-inlet chamberare other chambers 26 26'. chambersrespectively communicate with the valve-chamber by means of a series ofports 27 27'. Thechambers 26 26' also lead to the spaces 9 beneath thepistons 7 by means of the passages 12, hereinbefore referred to. Next tothe chambers 26 26 are other chambers 28 28, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) whichare in communication with the valve-chamber through the ports 29 29'.The chambers 28 28 are also in communication, respectively, with thespaces 8 of the cylinders by means of the passages 11 11, respectively,hereinbefore referred to. Next to the chambers 28 28 areexhaust-chambers 3O 30, which are in communication with thevalve-chamber by meansof ports 31 31. The exhaust-chambers 30 30 lead tothe exhaust-pipe 32 by means of a passage (See 7 Figs. 2 and 4.)

In the operation of this engine and valve 'mecha'uism if thepiston-valve is in the position shown in Fig. 2that is to say, if it hascompleted its stroke toward the left-hand end of Fig. 2the projection orpiston 16 will bear against the projection or thickened portion 21of'the lining 22 on the left hand of the ports 25. The resultis that thesteamis free to pass through the inlet into the concavity 18, and thencethrough ports 27 into chamber 26'. While this is taking place the valveis moved toward the right, owing to the ex cesspressure of steam againstthe projection These or piston 17. With this movement the projection orpiston 16 is shifted so as to close the ports 25, and thereby preventfurther en-' trance of steam into the concavity 18. The result is thatthe steam passes intothe chamber 26 and from said chamber through thepassage 12 into the space 9 of one of the cylinders and presses upwardlyagainst the face of the piston. The steam therefore acts expansivelybetween this face of the piston and 33 to the exhaust-pipe 32. With thecontinued movement of the piston-valve communication is established byway of the concavity 18' between the chambers 26 and'28 through theports 27 and 29. The steam therefore whichhas filled up the space 9below the piston is now free to flow from the chamber 28' through thechannel 11 into the space 8 above the piston. Inasmuch, however, as thetop surface of the piston is greater in area than the under surface thedown pressure on the upper surface will overbalance the up pressure onthe under'surface, and consequently cause a descent of the piston andits rod. The same steam therefore causes both the up movement and downmovement of the piston and its rod. 'The piston-valve'also by this timehas beenv moved longitudinally to the right far enough to cut offfurther discharge through the ports 31 by reason of the position ofthe'projection 17, and this extended movement of said piston-valve alsobrings the projection or piston 16 on the right-hand side of ports 25,and hencethe inlet-steam will be free to pass into and fill up theconcavity or recess 18, from which the steam passes into the chamber 26and from said chamber through the channel 12 to the space 9 in order toact against the under surface of the piston of the left-hand cylinder,and thereby cause the left hand piston 7 and its rod to ascend, anysteam remaining above the piston 7 being free to exhaust through thechannel 11 into the chamber 28, thence through the ports 29 into thecavity or recess 20, through the ports 31 into the exhaust-chamber 30,and thence through the exhaust-channel 33 to the exhaust-pipe 32. Thesteamwhich passes in and fills the concavity or recess 18, as justexplained, also acts expansively on the projection or piston 17 andcauses a movement of the piston-valve toward the left hand of Fig. 2.WVith the continued movement of the piston-valve in this directioncommunication'is established, by way of the cavity or recess 18, betweenthe chambers'26 and 28 chamber 28, through the channel 11, into thespace 8 above thepiston of the left-hand cylinder 6, and at the sametime the position of the projection or piston 17 cuts off'furtheroutflow through the exhaust. The valve is now again in the positionillustrated in Fig. 2, so as to admit steam into the concavity or recess18. Again, recurring to the longitudinal movement of the piston-valvetoward the right of Fig. 4, it will be seen that just before the initialstart the chambers 28 and 26 are in communication, so that steam isabove the piston 7 of the left-hand cylinder 6 and also beneath theunder surface of the piston 7. Thispiston 7 therefore starts to descend,owing to the overbalancing steampressure on the top, while theright-hand piston 7 is being raised. In the Fig. 2 position of thepiston-valve, however, there is necessarily equal steam-pressure againstthe pistons 17 and 17, and consequently the pistonvalveis at astandstill. When, however,-the piston 7 has descended sufliciently fartocause the steam above saidpiston and in the chamber 8 to expand, thenthe pressure of the steam in the concavity or recess 18 is to thatextent diminishedand the pressure of thesteam in the concavity 18 willoverbalance and start the piston-valve on its movement toward the rightof Fig. 2. With the'continued movement of the piston-valve toward theright the ports 29 on the left are closed, and consequently the .steamin the concavity 18 passes only into the chamber 26, and from thence tothe space 9 to act against the under side of the left-hand piston 7, andthis occurs at the same time the chambers 26 and 28 on the.

right are brought into communication, so as to cause a down movement ofthe right-hand piston 7, and at the same time the chambers any exteriormeans.

It is equally true that the valve mechanism will continue to workuninterruptedly, even stamp-mills designed for crushing and pulverizingores. Furthermore, the valve-chest is so constructed as to admit, undercertain circumstances, steam to either end of the piston-valve; Thisconstruction adapts thepiston-rod of either of the pistons 7 to be heldup so that repairs can be readily made withoutdanger of accident to theattendant." This is also of importance when the engine and valvemechanism are employed in'connection with stamp-mills in which thepiston-rods of the pistons 7 serve as the stamp-stems. Theaccomplishment of the function just described is obtained by providingchannels 34 34', which channels are provided with end extensions 35 35,leading to the spaces between the opposite ends of the piston-valve andthe ends of the valve-chamber. A rotatable valve 36 intersects thechannel 34 34', and this valve is constructed with somewhat more thanone-half of its surface cut away, as indicated at 37. The chamber inwhich the valve 36 fits communicates with the inletchamber 24 through aport 38. WVhen the piston-valve is reciprocated, steam at one end isforced through the channel and valve to the opposite end, and viceversa. By turning the valve 36 the connection between the channels 3434' is adjusted, so that the flow of steam between the spaces at theopposite ends of the piston-valve is regulated, and the degree ofcushioning thereby adjusted and the piston-valve prevented from strikingthe ends of the steam-chest. By turning the rotatable valve 36, however,so as to cut ofi communication between the channels 34 34' and connectchannel 34 with the inlet steam-chamber 24 through the port 38, fullsteam-pressure will be admitted to the right-hand end of thepiston-valve and said valve held immovable in the position shown in Fig.2. This will admit steam through the concavity or recess 18, ports 27and the chamber 25', thence by passage 12 to space 9, where it will actagainst the under surface of the piston 7 and raise said piston to thetop of its stroke and. hold it there. This will admit of any work beingdone with safety beneath the piston-rod or in the mortar under the stampwhen the invention is used in connection with a stampmil'l. By turningthe valve 36 in the opposite direction,.so as to shut off channel 34 andconnect channel 34 through the port 38 with the steam-supply fromchamber 24, full steam-pressure will be applied to the lefthand end ofthe piston-valve, and said piston-valve will then be forced to therighthand end of its stroke and held there. This, through the concavityor recess 18 and ports 25 and 27, will admit full steam-pressure to theunder side of the left-hand piston 7, and this piston will be therebyraised to the top of its stroke and held there as long as the valve 36remains in said position. I If the piston-valve should stopin thecentral position, so that the projection or piston 16 covers the ports25, this action just described will enable the valve to be moved fromsaid central position to a position at one end, as shown, when itsnormal function will take-place.

While we have herein described steam as the actuating medium, yet we donot wish to be understood as restricting ourselves thereto inasmuch asit is obvious that any other actuating agent capable of acting on thepistons may be employed.

WVhat we claim as our invention is- 1. The combination of a cylinder, apiston reciprocative therein, and having a rod extending therefrom, asteam-chest having a series of live-steam and exhaust passagescommunicating between said valve-chest and the cylinder, a valve withinthe steam-chest, said valve provided with a plurality of pistons,

with recesses formed therebetween, the central piston of the valve beingsmaller than the otherpistons thereof, wherebya difierential pressure isobtained, and means for automatically operating the valve directly bythe inflowing steam, whereby, as the valve reciprocates, the steam iscaused to flow alternately to opposite sides of the pistonof thecylinde'r,and to be exhausted alternately from opposite sides of saidpiston, to thereby cause a reciprocation of the piston.

2. The combination of cylinders, pistons reeiprocative therein, saidpistons provided .with projecting rods, a steam-chesthaving a series oflive-steam and exhaust passages communicating between said valve-chestand the cylinders, a valve within the steam-chest, said valve providedwith a plurality of pistons,

ders, and to be exhausted alternately from opposite sides of saidpistons, to thereby cause alternate reciprocations of the pistons.

, 3.-The combination, of cylinders, pistons adapted to be reciprocatedtherein, said pis'- tons provided with projecting rods, the pressurearea on one side of each piston being other of said chambers havingpassages leadting to the spacesof the cylinders above the pistons, otherof said chambers leading to the spaces of the cylinders below thepistons, and

the remaining chambers leading to the exhaust, and a reciprocating valveprovided centrally with a piston adapted, when the valve is at the endof its stroke in either direction, to open the port leading from theinlet chamber, and said valve also provided with other pistons ofgreater diameter than the central piston, and with cavities or recessesbe tween the pistons.

4. The combination, of cylinders, pistons adapted to reciprocatetherein, and provided with projecting rods, a steam-chest providedwithports communicating with opposite ends of the valve-chamber of thesteam-chest, a reciprocating valve working in said valvechamber, andadapted to control the flow of steam against opposite sides of thepistons of the cylinders, a rotatable valve intersecting the ports, andprovided with a passage which is normally in register with the ports,and means for turning the valve, whereby the area of the channel betweenopposite ends of the steam-chest is regulated.

5. The combination, of cylinders, pistons adapted to bereciprocatedtherein, and pro videdw'ith projecting rods, asteam-chest havingavalve-chamber in communication with the spaces above and below thepistons of the cylinders, and also having achamber in communication withthe source of steam-pressure, and said steam-chest further provided withchannels communicating with opposite ends of the valve-chamber of thesteam-chest, and said channels also communicating with the chamber whichis in communication with the source of steam-pressure, a reciprocatingvalve working in the valve-chamber and adapted to control the flow ofsteam against opposite sides of the pistons of the cylinders, arotatable valve intersecting the channels, and provided with a passagewhich is normally in register with said channels, and means for turningthe valve, whereby communication between the channels is interrupted,and either channel connected with the source of steam-pressure.

"6. The combination, of cylinders, pistons adapted to be reciprocated insaid cylinders and provided with projecting rods, the pressure area ofone side of each piston being greater than the pressure area on theopposite side, a steam-chest having a valve-chamber and a series ofother chambers leading to said valve-chamber, one of said other chambersbeing an inlet-chamber, other of said chambers having passages leadingto the spaces of the cylinders above the pistons, other of said chambersleading to the spaces of the cylinders below the pistons, and theremaining chambers leading to thev exhaust,

and said steam-chest also provided with channels .communicatin g withopposite ends of the valvechamber of the steam-chest, and said channelsalso communicating with the inletchamber, a reciprocating valve workingin the valve-chamber and adapted to control the flow of steam againstopposite faces of the pistons of the cylinders, a rotatable valveintersecting the channels and provided with a passage which is normallyin register with said channels, and means for turning the valve wherebycommunication between the channels is interrupted, and either channelthereby connected with the source of steam- Io pressure.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

ALLAN G. MATHER. FREDERICK T. SNYDER. Witnesses to A. G. Matherssignature:

0. T. BENEDICT, A. L. MORSELL. Witnesses to F. T. Snyclers signature:

G. W. DIXON, HARRY A. GNEIS.

